Key events
Starmer intervened to stop England kick-off change
Sir Keir Starmer intervened to prevent Fifa bringing forward kick-off at the Estadio Azteca amid concerns the change could give World Cup co-hosts Mexico an unfair advantage over England.
The UK Government stepped in through diplomatic channels to oppose moving the match from 1am to 7pm BST because it would mean Thomas Tuchel’s team had less time to adapt to the altitude, it is understood.
Starmer directed the intervention after being alerted to the potential problem by the Football Association, which is understood to have contacted Downing Street before the game, as first reported by The Sun, which broke the story.
England overcame hostility, altitude and Jarell Quansah’s red card to edge a 3-2 blockbuster against Mexico on Monday morning UK time and set up a quarter-final clash with Norway.
The match was due to kick-off at 1am UK time (6pm local time), but with the threat of lightning in the area, the stadium activated its thunderstorm protocol and the game instead started at 2am UK time (7pm local time).
Outgoing Prime Minister Starmer intervened last week with emergency legislation to allow pubs to stay open late for the round-of-16 match. PA Media
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Jonathan Wilson
Belgium v USA is not solely about the Folarin Balogun shenanigans, there’s a lot at stake for the Belgians, as Jonathan Wilson points out.
double quotation markThis squad seems cursed to be judged against the standards of two World Cups ago, somehow blamed for not being as good as their predecessors and at the same time damned for those predecessors’ failure to convert talent into silverware.
Romelu Lukaku (left) and Kevin De Bruyne (right) in training. Photograph: Jamie Squire/Getty ImagesShare
Andrew Beasley
double quotation markIf you drill into the numbers, the 19 non-penalty shots England faced were collectively worth only 1.09 expected goals (xG). Thomas Tuchel’s men defended superbly.
Blocks are big business, it transpires.
A historic night for England as they beat Mexico 3-2 in their World Cup last-16 tie was soured by an injury suffered by Jordan Henderson from falling over an advertising board in the post-match celebrations. The former Liverpool captain, who was an unused substitute, was taken to hospital and it was later confirmed that he had broken his wrist and that he is out of the tournament.
Jordan Henderson received treatment at the side of the pitch before being stretchered off. Photograph: Eduardo Verdugo/APShareGeorge joins Everton from Chelsea in permanent deal
Andy Hunter
Everton have completed the signing of Tyrique George from Chelsea for a fee that could rise to £24m.
The England under-21 international spent the second half of last season on loan at Everton, making 11 appearances, and manager David Moyes was keen to secure the winger on a permanent basis following the arrival of Hayden Hackney from Middlesbrough.
Everton are expected to pay £18m for the 20 year old with another £6m in add-ons. “I loved my time here on loan last season, so as soon as I knew it was a possibility to return that’s always what I wanted,” said George. “There is a lot more to come from me and with the manager, the coaches and my teammates, I know I’m in a great place to show it.”
Tyrique George has left Chelsea to join Everton in a permanent deal. Photograph: DeFodi Images/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 11.32 EDT
If you are into building things with tiny bricks, then this is for you. An absolutely massive World Cup trophy and a few big name players have been unveiled in New York City.
Lego unveil World Cup trophy and players in brick form. Photograph: Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for LEGO GroupShare
Eromo Egbejule
Senegalese football officials are due to return home on Tuesday morning, nearly a week after their knockout-stage exit at the World Cup, the country’s sports ministry has said.
The players and technical staff had been left stranded in Seattle where they had lost a round of 32 game on 2 July, before eventually flying out two days later. They lost 3-2 to Belgium after extra time but had not booked flights home because they had not expected to lose.
Some players were also reportedly granted authorisation to stay back in the US and fly onwards to their bases or go on vacation. However, logistical issues meant that the rest of the delegation was initially left behind.
“The arrival in Dakar of the official national team delegation is now scheduled,” the ministry said in a statement on its website on Sunday. The chartered flight is due to land in the Senegalese capital on Tuesday morning at 09:15 local time, it added.
The Teranga Lions had qualified from their group, by thrashing Iraq 5-0 after rebounding from earlier losses against France and Norway. But the team squandered a 2-0 lead towards the end of normal time.
Critics and fans back in West Africa had attributed the team’s loss to the ageing core of its squad and tactical decisions by head coach Pape Thiaw. However, a slew of controversies within the team seem to have affected their performances too: Thiaw reportedly had no signed contract and was owed five months of salary arrears by the Fédération of Senegalese Football (FSF) until a few hours to the knockout game. There was also a backlog of unpaid player bonuses and allegations that the team’s head chef had sexually harassed a member of staff during the tournament.
“As long as this coaching staff is in place, I will be taking a break from the national team,” Villarreal midfielder Pape Gueye posted on social media after the last game.
Senegal, one of Africa’s top-ranked teams, are no strangers to logistical issues. Last October, the Senegalese government had to intervene before a crucial World Cup qualifier against neighbours Mauritania went ahead at the national stadium just outside Dakar. Officials of the public infrastructure agency had tried to stop the team from playing there because of millions of CFAs in debt owed by the FSF. Even in May, as the World Cup neared, the Teranga Lions were stopped from training at the pitch because of a similar situation.
Will other world leaders phone up Infantino now and ask him to sort things out. See if Keir Starmer can get Quansah off his suspension etc.
Is Fifa fit for purpose anymore?
Bryan Armen Graham has the latest on all the ludicrous/bizarre situation Fifa has needlessly put itself into.
We can only guess who the man Trump spoke to in order to get Balogun available again …
Fifa really left without a leg to stand on here.
Fair play to Trump who says “I understand sports really well, really well” and then does not understand the basics of how red cards and suspensions work.
Donald Trump speaking. Photograph: Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 11.11 EDT
Thanks Dominic. I assume we are all excited for the next two hours of Trump, Balogun and Fifa controversy.
Well, with the drama set to continue later with Spain v Portugal and that incredibly tasty USA v Belgium game afterwards, I shall hand the live blog reins back to Will Unwin.
A story in several parts. Here’s everything we’ve written on it (so far!)
I’m struggling to recall a World Cup saga quite like this. Where does it go from here? Can Balogun possibly play? Whatever happens, you can guarantee most neutrals will probably be supporting Belgium now …
Belgium, you have one job
ShareTrump confirms he asked Fifa to review Balogun suspension
Fran Lawther
Donald Trump has confirmed he lobbied Fifa to intervene regarding Folarin Balogun’s red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Trump’s intervention seemingly led Fifa to “suspend” the striker’s one-match ban, making him now available to play for the USA in their last 16 match against Belgium.
The incident has caused much controversy, with the Belgian football federation and manager Rudi Garcia, as well as Uefa, responding in strong terms, claiming Fifa “crossed a line” and offered the USA preferential treatment that calls into question the “integrity” of the game and the World Cup.
Here’s what the US president said in an Oval Office speech on Monday:
double quotation markI saw the play. And I’m a person that loves sports and was a good athlete. I understand sports really well, really well. And that wasn’t a foul. That wasn’t even an infraction. That was two guys running full speed that happened to crash into each other. And this referee, who is a little bit suspect … I don’t like to create controversy, but very suspect. He made a call that nobody could believe. You know, even people on the other side, they said, ‘oh, we got lucky’. Wow. That’s very interesting.
double quotation markAnd he [Balogun] is our best player, or one of our best players, a very vital player. And he gave him a red card. I didn’t know what that meant. I didn’t think it meant much. Then I started hearing that that means he can’t play in the next game. I said, boy, that’s a big, you know, if it happened to another player, it would have been unfair. But when they take your best player, or just about, and they say you can’t play, that’s very unfair. That’s you know, it’s one thing to penalise somebody for the game, but how do you penalise them for a game that hasn’t been played yet? It’s very unfair. You can’t do that.
So yes, I asked for a review by Fifa. I spoke to a man who’s highly respected and by the way, whose level of respect has gone up tenfold. And he was good before this started. But, you know, he really pushed it in this country.
Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office of the White House on Monday. Photograph: Abaca/ShutterstockShare
Updated at 10.39 EDT
Away from the World Cup, some WSL transfer news to bring you, with the top clubs starting to make their moves.
Also at Chelsea, Aggie Beever-Jones has signed a new deal until 2030, which is great news for the Blues. “Chelsea has been my club since I was a young girl, and that means a lot to me and my family. It’s a very proud day,” she said.
Donald Trump has been speaking in the Oval Office just now, alongside Republican senator Ted Cruz.
Cruz just thanked the US president for “getting rid of that ridiculous red card” – in reference to Folarin Balogun.
double quotation markOn behalf of all Americans, thank you for getting rid of that ridiculous red card… it was spectacular. There was a reason the Fifa [peace] trophy sat here for as long as it did.
Trump added:
double quotation markThe status is, we have the press. They don’t want to know anything soccer/football. Fortunately, they won’t be asking any questions on that. Nobody cares about that, right? This is about the Trump accounts, which are absolutely incredible for children.
ShareEngland’s Henderson ruled out of World Cup
Jacob Steinberg
Morning from Mexico City. A euphoric night for England but it’s been slightly tarnished by Jordan Henderson’s freak injury. The midfielder is sadly out of the World Cup after suffering a broken wrist. He stayed in Mexico overnight and needs surgery.
More on this story to come.
England players stand around a stricken Jordan Henderson. Photograph: Eurasia Sport Images/Getty ImagesShare
An update (of sorts) on Balogun and USA v Belgium: The Belgian football federation (RBFA) says it has still not received either “Fifa’s decision or any explanation regarding this matter” and adds “in these circumstances, it has no choice but to challenge the player’s eligibility for the upcoming match.”
It did not specify where it intends to appeal Fifa’s decision.
It’s almost like this situation is virtually unprecedented …
Before we pivot away from England and onto other topics, there is time for a shameless self-plug.
Today’s Football Daily was written by yours truly and concerns Thomas Tuchel’s mentality monsters. Read/subscribe/share!!
What a sensational image this is. Big Dan Burn getting his head on everything Mexico could muster up.
Hang it in the Louvre, as the kids say.
Raúl Jiménez can only find Big Dan Burn’s Big Head with a big bicycle kick attempt. Photograph: Darrian Traynor/Getty ImagesShare
I simply had to bump this comment right up to the top. As an England fan, I feel much the same, Topher. Well said.
Having now had a decent sleep I can look back on the game with a little more clarity. What I wanted from the game in advance – and what would have represented a minimum threshold of success for Tuchel IMO – was that England would step up to and play a meaningful part in the occasion, which promised to have such epic World Cup status. Considering the passive and quite weak performance against DRC, I didn’t expect us to win but I wanted us to play well, fight and contribute.
Well… they met this bar alright. In Kane and Bellingham we have some truly decisive attackers and with both Gordon and Saka energetic and accurate around them Mexico really didn’t have the answers defensively. Considering they hadn’t conceded a single goal up until this point that is some achievement.
And the heroic defensive display to close-out the game was terrific. Stones and Burn throwing themselves at crosses and half-chances like men possessed. Pickford was near faultless as well. We’ll be watching replays of this likely forever.
As for the various penalties and cards – whilst you can argue with the process (and what’s ‘clear and obvious’ etc.) personally I thought all the decisions where the right ones in the end, so don’t think either team can feel hard done by. I feel sorry for Quansah since he gambled on making a cleaner contact with the ball and certainly didn’t mean to get that sort of contact on the attacker – however it was a clear red and he’ll just have to take responsibility for that.
So. A famous win and some questions about the stomach and application of this England team comprehensively answered. I’m really starting to enjoy this tournament.
Golden boot standings: Can Harry Kane, or maybe even Jude Bellingham, snatch the Golden Boot from under the grasp of Messrs Messi, Mbappé and Haaland?
Kylian Mbappé (7 goals)
Lionel Messi (7)
Erling Haaland (7)
Harry Kane (6)
Ousmane Dembélé (4)
Jude Bellingham (4)
Mikel Oyarzabal (4)
Despite that astonishing defensive rearguard, Thomas Tuchel believes England can still improve their performance levels at this World Cup. And they may need to with Erling Haaland and Norway lying in wait in the quarters, with a potential semi-final against Argentina further ahead.
Here’s a slightly more critical Tuchel on where the Three Lions stand, performance-wise, despite their Mexico City heroics:
double quotation markI think we can play much better, there’s a lot we can do better. There’s still a disconnect from us, from the best version of us that I see, from what we actually put on the pitch in terms of football, performance in terms of ball possession and finding spaces.
There’s no disconnect in [terms of] committing and doing what is needed to overcome anything.
Thanks Martin. I’m still reeling from that England result last night. Perhaps it’s the lack of sleep, or just World Cup-induced euphoria … whatever it is will have to see me through the next couple of hours.
In a little bit of non-World Cup news, Brazilian coach Filipe Luís has been hired by Monaco four months after leaving Flamengo. He is signed up until 2028. In even less-World Cup news, I was only signed up to 2pm, so I am off, and will hand you over to Dominic Booth.
Will we get to see Prince William or maybe Prince Louis joining in a big chorus of Wonderwall outside Buckingham Palace? I only ask as the ante for European royals joining in football celebrations has been upped after Norway’s Crown Prince Haakon joined a sea of thousands of fans seated on the ground for the football team’s trademark row after the national team secured their first ever World Cup quarter-final place. Miranda Bryant has the story.
Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway (R) and Crown Prince Haakon watch yesterday’s match with Brazil. Photograph: THE ROYAL COURT/AFP/Getty ImagesShare
I gave a wry smile at the line “I urge you to treat this matter with the utmost seriousness” as Noah Law, the Labour MP for St Austell and Newquay, has used his House of Commons letter paper to address Fifa and call for Jarell Quansah to escape a suspension for yesterday’s red card. The MP posted on Bluesky to explain he wrote:
double quotation markAs I’m sure you are aware, during this morning’s World Cup game between England and Mexico, our formidable right-back Jarell Quansah unfortunately received a red card for a clumsy tackle on a Mexico player.
Whilst I believe that it was right for Jarell Quansah to have received this red card and that refereeing rules must be applied consistently, I believe it would be right to delay his suspension until after the completion of this World Cup.
We know that a similar situation arose earlier in the competition when United States forward, Folarin Balogun, received a red card during the Round of 32.
The integrity of any major international tournament depends not only on players and officials adhering to the rules, but also on those rules being applied equally to all participating nations. I am sure we will be unable to justify a situation in which one player benefits from a delayed suspension while another, in materially similar circumstances, does not.
At a time when our multilateral system and the international rules-based order is under threat, I urge you to treat this matter with the utmost seriousness. I look forward to hearing from you and learning the outcome of this decision.
Jarell Quansah walks off the pitch after being sent off. Photograph: Michael Regan/FIFA/Getty ImagesShare
Louise Taylor has a full write-up here of Sandro Tonali’s move to EFL Championship side Premier League Tottenham, after he could not resist Roberto De Zerbi’s “magic” sales pitch.
Although he has posted some warm words on Instasgram about departing St James’ Park, in a quote unlikely to endear him to Newcastle United fans, Tonali said he spoke to De Zerbi “for close to two hours about the club, the fans, the stadium and our football. It was like magic because I knew immediately I had to sign for Tottenham.”
Absolutely incredible scenes as disgraced former Fifa president Sepp Blatter has clambered on top of the moral high-ground over the rescinding of Folarin Balogun’s automatic suspension for picking up a red card. Blatter said on social media:
double quotation markRed cards are not overturned by political phone calls. They are overturned by rules, evidence and independent bodies. If a US President intervenes with the Fifa president – and a player is suddenly cleared before a World Cup knockout match – the question is unavoidable: Quo vadis (Where are you going), Fifa? Football must never become a playground for political power.
Sepp Blatter last year. Photograph: Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty ImagesShare
In a sentence I never expected to type, the Belgian prime minister’s cat, Maximus, has entered the chat about the Folarin Balogun red card/suspension controversy. On his official Instagram account Maximus has appeared with a red card, and says “Red card? I’m still playing”.
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Martin Belam
Wow, good morning/afternoon/evening, what a day yesterday was for England and Norway fans. If you had offered me before the tournament, as an England fan, being 3-2 up at the Azteca in the 85th minute, with Norway waiting in the next round, but England are down to 10 men, I would have bitten your arm off for it. That was how I was trying to reassure myself before what I expected to be the inevitable last-gasp equaliser and a slow attritional drift off towards penalties. Were you there? Did you host a watch party? Don’t forget our community team want to hear about your experience of watching England v Mexico.